Blueberry Plant Named &#39;NS 16-18&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of blueberry plant, which is denominated varietally as ‘NS 16-18’ is described, with a weak to medium plant vigor and which produces fruit considered large to very large in size, medium in sweetness, and firm to very firm under the ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119 toCommunity Plant Variety Office (CPVO) Application No. 2020/0192 forCommunity Plant Variety Rights, filed on Jan. 22, 2020 for a blueberryplant with a variety denomination of ‘NS 16 18’, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Latin name: Vaccinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: The invention relates to a new, novel, anddistinct variety of blueberry plant, a Vaccinium hybrid, with a varietydenomination hereinafter as ‘NS 16-18’.

SUMMARY

The new variety of blueberry plant resulted from an ongoing developmentprogram of plant breeding conducted to identify such plants. The purposeof the program was to improve the commercial quality of blueberry plantsand other plant species. To this end, controlled, hybrid,cross-pollinations were made in order to produce plant populations fromwhich improved progeny were evaluated and thereafter selected.

The ‘NS 16-18’ blueberry plant was originated and selected from apopulation of new plants growing on the breeder's property, which islocated at Yanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia. The newvariety of blueberry plant was derived from a controlled, hybrid,cross-pollination of the seed parent, blueberry plant ‘EB 9-4’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 28,334), and a pollen parent, blueberry plant ‘EB 8-50’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,357) during the 2013 growing season.

Prior Varieties. The seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ is characterized principallyby a semi-upright to intermediate growth habit, a medium vigor, a veryearly season first pick date, and further produces large- tovery-large-sized, firm, high sweetness, and low to medium acidity fruitunder the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia.Also, the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ exhibits a very early date of bloom time,a medium fruit cluster density, and a last pick date in February of thefollowing year under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep,Western Australia. Further, the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ is evergreen andproduces fruit on one-year-old and current season's shoots.

The pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’, on the other hand, is characterizedprincipally by a semi-upright to intermediate growth habit, a mediumvigor, a very early season first pick date, and further produces large-to very-large-sized, firm to very firm, high to very high sweetness, andlow acidity fruit under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep,Western Australia. Also, the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’ exhibits a veryearly date of bloom time, a dense fruit cluster density, and a Decemberlast pick date under the ecological conditions occurring in Yanchep,Western Australia. Further, the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’ is evergreen andproduces fruit on one-year-old and current season's shoots.

Origin. The seed from the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ produced approximately1,100 plants following cross-pollination. These new plants were thengrown at the aforementioned property, and fruit from these new plantswas first observed in 2015. A subsequent assessment of these sameself-fertile, new plants conducted during the 2016 growing season led toselecting the ‘NS 16-18’ variety for additional evaluation in 2017,which led to selection for further evaluation.

Asexual Reproduction. The further evaluation included an asexualvegetative propagation, by vegetative cuttings, at Yanchep Springs inYanchep, Western Australia. Subsequent evaluations of the newly derivedplants in the 2018 growing season led to a conclusion that the ‘NS16-18’ variety was a distinct and new variety of blueberry plant foundto be true to the original plant. The new variety of blueberry plant wasconsidered to be novel in view of its weak to medium plant vigor, largeto very large fruit size, medium fruit sweetness, and firm to very firmfruit acidity.

Comparisons. In comparison to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ under theecological conditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, the newvariety is noteworthy. In this regard, the seed parent has a plant vigorconsidered to be medium. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry planthas a plant vigor considered to be weak to medium. In addition, the seedparent and the new variety of blueberry plant both produce fruit with asize considered to be large to very large. Also, the seed parentproduces fruit considered to be high in sweetness. This is in contrastto the fruit of the new variety of blueberry plant, which is consideredto be medium in sweetness. Further, the seed parent produces fruitconsidered to be firm. This is in contrast to the fruit of the newvariety of blueberry plant, which is considered to be firm to very firm.

In comparison to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’ under the ecologicalconditions occurring in Yanchep, Western Australia, the new variety isnoteworthy. In this regard, the pollen parent has a plant vigorconsidered to be medium. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry planthas a plant vigor considered to be weak to medium. In addition, thepollen parent and the new variety of blueberry plant both produce fruitwith a size considered to be large to very large. Also, the pollenparent produces fruit considered to be high to very high in sweetness.This is in contrast to the fruit of the new variety of blueberry plant,which is considered to be medium in sweetness. Further, the pollenparent and the new variety of blueberry plant both produce fruitconsidered to be firm to very firm.

The new variety of blueberry plant is readily distinguishable from themost closely related, known variety, the ‘EB 12-3’ blueberry plantdescribed in Australia Plant Breeder Right 2017/316, filed Oct. 31,2017, titled “Southern Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinum hybrid) Variety EB12-3,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Inthis regard, the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’ has a plant vigorconsidered to be strong. In contrast, the new variety of blueberry planthas a plant vigor considered to be weak to medium. In addition, theclosest known variety ‘EB 12-3’ produces fruit with a size considered tobe large. This in contrast to the fruit of the new variety of blueberryplant, which is considered to be large to very large in size. Also, theclosest known variety ‘EB 12-3’ produces fruit considered to be mediumto high in sweetness. This is in contrast to the fruit of the newvariety of blueberry plant, which is considered to be medium insweetness. Further, the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’ produces fruitconsidered to be medium in firmness. This is in contrast to the fruit ofthe new variety of blueberry plant, which is considered to be firm tovery firm.

The comparisons described above are summarized in the table below.

Summary of Comparisons ‘EB 9-4’ ‘EB 8-50’ ‘NS 16-18’ ‘EB 12-3’ (Seed)(Pollen) Plant vigor Weak to Strong Medium Medium medium Fruit sizeLarge to very Large Large to very Large to very large large large FruitMedium Medium to High High to very sweetness high high Fruit firmnessFirm to very Medium Firm Firm to very firm firm

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are color photographs of the new blueberryplant ‘NS 16-18’ during the second year of growth under the ecologicalconditions prevailing at the breeder's property, which is located atYanchep Springs in Yanchep, Western Australia.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows fruit, blooms, leaves, and aportion of a vegetative stem of the new blueberry plant ‘NS 16-18’, thefruit being sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment. Thisphotograph also depicts the fruit size and the color of the ripe fruit,two leaves showing the sizes and the upper and under side colorationsthereof, two blooms at different stages of maturation, and additionalleaves on the stem at different stages of maturation.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows the new blueberry plant ‘NS16-18.’ This photograph depicts a mature bush with ripe and unripefruits, the fruit size, and the upright growth habit of the bush. Theripe fruit is sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment.

The colors in these photographs are as nearly true as is reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type. Due to variations incolor printers and/or chemical development, processing and printing, thecolors of the plant parts depicted in these photographs may, or may not,be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, colorreferences are made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart, Sixth Edition (2015), hereinafter, “R.H.S.”) anddescriptions provided.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Not a Commercial Warranty. The following detailed description wasprepared solely to comply with the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, anddoes not constitute a commercial warranty (either expressed or implied)that the present variety will, in the future, display the botanical,horticultural, or other characteristics set forth herein. Therefore,this disclosure may not be relied upon to support any future legalclaims including, but not limited to, breach of warranty ofmerchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose, ornon-infringement, which is directed in whole, or in part, to the presentnew variety of plant.

Referring more specifically to the botanical features of this new anddistinct variety of blueberry plant, the following has been observedduring the second year of growth under the ecological conditionsprevailing at the breeder's property, which is located at YanchepSprings in Yanchep, Western Australia.

-   Plant: General.    -   -   Vigor.—Considered weak to medium for the species. This is in            contrast to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’ and the pollen parent            ‘EB 8-50’, wherein the vigor is considered to be medium.            This is also in contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB            12-3’, wherein the vigor is considered to be strong.        -   Growth habit.—Considered upright, in like manner to the            commercial variety ‘Ivanhoe’ (unpatented).        -   Average size of plant.—1.0 meters in height by 0.56 meters            in width.        -   Internode length (space between nodes).—Considered medium,            18.0 millimeters (mm).        -   Bark color.—RHS Dark Reddish Orange Group 175B.        -   Color, one year old shoots.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group            144D.        -   Fruiting type.—On one-year-old shoots and current season's            shoots, in like manner to commercial varieties ‘Concord’            (unpatented) and ‘Burlington’ (unpatented).-   Foliage: General.    -   -   Average leaf length.—Considered medium for the species, 55.0            mm.        -   Average leaf width.—Considered medium for the species, 26.5            mm.        -   Color of leaf upper.—RHS Moderate Olive Green Group 137B.        -   Color of leaf underside.—RHS Moderate Yellow Green Group            138B.        -   Vein color of plant leaf.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group            145A.        -   Venation pattern of leaf.—Pinnate reticulate.        -   Leaf apex texture.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf apex shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf base shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf shape.—Elliptic.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf arrangement of plant.—Alternate.        -   Petiole length.—5.10 mm.        -   Petiole diameter.—1.72 mm.        -   Petiole color.—RHS Light Yellow Green 145B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Number of flowers/inflorescence.—4.        -   Length of inflorescence (excluding pedicel).—Considered long            to very long, 16 mm.        -   Corolla shape.—Urceolate.        -   Corolla tube surface texture.—Ridges are present on the            corolla tube.        -   Average corolla length.—10 mm.        -   Corolla diameter.—8.4 mm.        -   Corolla aperture size.—4.48 mm.        -   Corolla color.—RHS White Group NN155C.        -   Pedicel color.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group 144C.        -   Pedicel length.—9.77 mm.        -   Average calyx diameter.—Considered small to medium, 4.77 mm.        -   Average calyx basin depth.—Considered medium, 1.81 mm.        -   Attitude of sepals.—Erect.        -   Type of sepals.—Straight.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Size of pollen anthers.—6.31 mm.        -   Color of pollen anthers.—RHS Brownish Orange Group 172C.        -   Pistil length.—9.35 mm.        -   Pistil color.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group 145C.-   Fruit:    -   -   Color of unripe fruit.—RHS Strong Yellow Green Group N144A.        -   Color of fruit skin.—RHS Bluish Black Group 203C, also            considered “dark blue” in like color to the commercial            variety ‘Heerma’ (unpatented), after removal of bloom.        -   Color of ripe fruit flesh.—RHS Light Yellow Green Group            145C.        -   Color of seeds.—RHS Dark Reddish Orange Group 175C.        -   Average fruit size.—Large to very large, 21 mm in diameter            and 16.34 mm in height. This is comparable to the seed            parent ‘EB 9-4’ and the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’, wherein the            fruit size is also considered large to very large. This is            in contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’, wherein            the fruit size is considered large.        -   Average weight of fruit.—3.33 grams.        -   Berry shape.—Considered oblate.        -   Sweetness when ripe.—Considered medium for the species. This            is in contrast to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’, wherein the            fruit sweetness is considered high. This is also in contrast            to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’, wherein the fruit sweetness            is considered high to very high. This is further in contrast            to the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’, wherein the fruit            sweetness is considered medium to high.        -   Firmness when ripe.—Considered firm to very firm for the            species. This is comparable to the pollen parent ‘EB 8-50’,            wherein the fruit firmness is also considered firm to very            firm. This is in contrast to the seed parent ‘EB 9-4’,            wherein the fruit firmness is considered firm. This is also            in contrast to the closest known variety ‘EB 12-3’, wherein            the fruit firmness is considered medium.        -   Acidity when ripe.—Considered medium to high for the            species.        -   Cluster density.—Considered sparse for the species.        -   Average fruit production.—2 kilograms on a two-year-old            bush.        -   Storability of fruit.—Considered excellent for the species.        -   Market use of fruit.—1st grade fresh market fruit.        -   Date of bud burst.—This variety is evergreen under the            ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western            Australia, but a bud break occurs in late June.        -   Date of bloom time.—This variety is evergreen under the            ecological conditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western            Australia, but a bloom time occurs at the end of July, which            is considered early on one-year-old shoot in like manner to            the commercial variety ‘Weymouth’ (unpatented) and is            considered early on current year's shoot in like manner to            the commercial variety ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented).        -   Duration of bloom time.—6 weeks.        -   Beginning of fruit ripening.—Considered early on            one-year-old shoot in like manner to the commercial variety            ‘Blueray’ (unpatented) and early on current year's shoot in            like manner to the commercial variety ‘O'Neal’ (unpatented).        -   First pick date.—The observed date of the first pick is            approximately October under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.        -   Last pick date.—The observed date of the last pick is            approximately December under the ecological conditions            prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.        -   Pollination requirements.—Self-fertile.        -   Resistance to pests and disease.—No particular resistance            noted. The variety has not been tested to detect any            resistance.

Although the new variety of blueberry plant possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inYanchep, Western Australia, it should be understood that variations areto be expected in the usual magnitude and characteristics incident tochanges in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control,frost, climatic variables, and horticultural management.

Having thus described and illustrated a new variety of blueberry plant,what is claimed to secure a plant letters patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, which is characterized principally as to novelty by a weak tomedium plant vigor and by producing fruit considered large to very largein size, medium in sweetness, and firm to very firm under the ecologicalconditions prevailing in Yanchep, Western Australia.